French Roulette: A Beginner’s Guide
Are you enjoying roulette but want to try a slightly different variation from the standard game you are used to? Maybe it’s time to try French Roulette.
This beginner guide on how to play French Roulette will go through the basics of this version of Roulette, the different types of betting systems, and the key differences between French, European, and American Roulette. We will also provide you with common strategies and tips to give you the best chance at winning real money while playing French Roulette at the casino.
Let’s get into it…
Basics of French Roulette
French Roulette is a classic casino game that involves placing bets on where a small ball will land on a spinning wheel that is divided into numbered and coloured pockets. The wheel has 37 pockets, numbered 1 through 36 and a single green pocket marked with a zero. Players can place bets on a variety of outcomes, from the colour of the pocket to the exact number it will land on.
How to Play French Roulette
The basic rules of French Roulette are the same as the American and European versions. You simply place your chip(s) on a designated spot, which denotes your type of bet, on the table to place a wager. The dealer then spins the roulette wheel. If the ball lands on the number in the wheel which corresponds to the place on the board where you placed your chip(s), you win!
- Place your bet on the French roulette table.
- The dealer spins the roulette wheel.
- If the ball lands on the same number as your placed wager, the dealer will pay out your winnings.
Below you can see how to play French Roulette at an online Casino:
The Wheel & Table Layout
The game board, or table layout, is where players place their bets. It’s divided into two main sections: the inside and outside betting areas. The inside area has the numbers laid out in three columns, while the outside area has betting options for groups of numbers, colours, and odd or even numbers.
Betting Options and Payouts
There are a ton of different ways to bet in French Roulette, which is part of what makes the game so exciting! Players can bet on a single number, a group of numbers, or even the colour of the pocket the ball will land in.
The payouts for each bet depend on the odds of it hitting. For example, betting on a single number has a payout of 35 to 1, while betting on red or black has a payout of 1 to 1.
French Roulette Betting Systems
As you can imagine, in French Roulette there is a myriad of betting systems on offer. Here are some of the main ones that you’ll come across when you’re in the thick of the roulette wheel action.
Inside Bets
These are the bets placed on individual numbers or small groups of numbers, with the highest payout potential but also the lowest odds of winning.
| Bet | Description | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Bet | This bet is made by placing a chip on a single number from the 36 available | 35:1 |
| Split Bet | This bet is made by placing a chip on the line between two adjacent numbers, meaning you’re betting on either number to win. | 17:1 |
| Street Bet | This bet covers a row of three numbers | 11:1 |
| Corner Bet | This bet covers four numbers at once by placing a chip on the corner where the four numbers meet. | 8:1 |
| Line Bet | This bet covers two adjacent rows of numbers | 5:1 |
Outside Bets
These are low-risk, low-reward bets and have low payout odds. On a French roulette table, you’ll notice these bets are written in French.
| Bet | Description | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Column Bet | This bet covers one of the three columns of numbers | 2:1 |
| Dozen Bet (P12, M12, D12) | This bet covers 12 numbers at a time and can be placed on the first, second, or third dozen on the table. | 2:1 |
| Red/Black Bet | This bet covers any black/red number | 1:1 |
| Odd/Even Bet | This bet covers any odd/even number | 1:1 |
| Low/High Bet | This bet covers any low number (1-18) or any high number (19-36) | 1:1 |
Call Bets
Call bets are a little more tricky to explain and are more advanced. These are bets exclusive to French roulette. If you are playing online, you will find these bets on the ‘racetrack’ part of the roulette table layout. Calls bets are essentially bets on the ball leading between 2 sets of numbers and incorporate all the numbers between these two. The 4 sections are:
Voisins du Zéro
This bet covers all 17 numbers between 22 and 25 on the wheel (22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 45, 2, 26, 0, 35, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, & 25). You need 9 chips to place this bet – 5 split bets, a corner bet on 2, 26, 28, and 29, and a three-number bet on 0, 2, & 3.
Tiers du Cylindre
This bet covers all the numbers between 27 and 33 on the wheel (27, 13, 36,11,30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16 & 33). Players can cover this bet by using 6 chips on split bets.
Les Orphelins
This bet covers 8 numbers (17, 34, 6, 1, 20, 14, 31, and 9) which can be found to the right and left of the 0 pocket. Players need five chips to place this bet. Four are needed for split bets, with the remaining one reserved for a straight bet on 1.
Jeu Zéro
This bet covers seven numbers (12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 32, and 15). Players need four chips to place this bet, 2 split bets (0-3 & 12-5), one straight bet on 26, and another split bet (32-35).
The two other types of bets are not sections on the table but rather numbers of your choosing.
Finales en Plein
For this bet, players can bet on individual numbers that end with the same number. For instance, Finale 2 en Plein would consist of a bet on 2, 12, 22, and 32. The payouts for this type of bet are the same as straight-up bets (35:1).
Finales a Cheval
For this type of bet, you must make several split and straight bets which include two numbers of your choosing. For instance, a bet on 1 and 2 will include all the numbers that end in either 1 or 2 (1, 2, 11, 12, 21, 22, 31, 32).
Key Differences between French and American Roulette
There are a few key differences between French Roulette and both American and European Roulette. It is crucial to know these differences when playing French Roulette at a real money casino.
La Partage & En Prison
If you’re a fan of playing roulette, you might have heard about two interesting rules called “La Partage” and “En Prison.” These rules are often seen in French Roulette, and they can have a significant impact on your odds of winning and potential payouts. In American and European Roulette, if the ball lands on 0 you will lose any even-money bets (red/black, Odd/Even, & Low/High bets). In French Roulette, your bet is held over for the next roll or half of your bet is returned. This is the main difference between American & European Roulette and French Roulette.
The La Partage Rule
This rule comes into play when you place an even-money bet (such as Red/Black or Odd/Even) and the ball lands on zero. In this situation, you’ll only lose half of your bet, rather than the full amount.
This means that the house edge is reduced to 1.35%, which is great news for players!
En Prison Rule
En Prison, on the other hand, is a bit different. If you call bets (let’s say an even-money bet) and the ball ends up on zero, your bet is “imprisoned” (hence the name). What this means is that the bet remains on the table until the next spin rolls around, rather than being lost immediately.
If you win on the next spin, you’ll get your original bet back, but you won’t win any additional money. If you lose on the next spin, you’ll lose your entire bet. This rule also reduces the house edge to 1.35%.
It’s worth noting that La Partage and En Prison only apply to even-money bets. If you’re betting on a single number, for example, these rules won’t come into play. Also, the application of either rule depends on the casino.
Number of Pockets & House Edge
The number of pockets on a roulette wheel also has a significant impact on your odds of winning and potential payouts.
In American Roulette, the wheel has 38 pockets (numbers 1-36, plus 0 and 00). This means that the house edge is higher, at 5.26%. In European Roulette, there are only 37 pockets (numbers 1-36, plus 0), which reduces the house edge to 2.70%.
Impact on Player Odds and Potential Winnings
So, how do these rules and pocket numbers impact your potential winnings and odds of winning? Well, if you’re playing with La Partage or En Prison, you’ll have a slightly better chance of winning, since the French Roulette house edge is lower.
This means that you’ll be able to potentially win more money over time since the casino has less of an advantage.
Similarly, playing on a European Roulette wheel with 37 pockets rather than an American Roulette wheel with 38 pockets gives you a better chance of winning, since the house edge is lower. This means that you’ll be able to potentially win more money over time as well.
Overall, understanding these rules and the impact of pocket numbers on your odds of winning can be a great way to improve your roulette game and potentially walk away with more winnings!
Different Strategies to Win at French Roulette
There are a couple of different strategies players can use to increase their chances of winning at French Roulette.
The Martingale Strategy
Just like in every other version of Roulette, the Martingale system is a popular betting strategy. The system is simple, every time you lose a bet you should double your wager. The idea behind this system is that when you finally manage to win, you’ll recoup your losses and start afresh with your original wager. However, for this system to be sustainable, you will need a pretty big bankroll.
You can also use the reverse Martingale system, which involves players doubling up after winning bets but cutting them in half after losing bets. This system is designed to maximise potential winnings when hitting a winning streak without doing as much damage to a player’s bankroll.
Neighbouring Numbers
Another strategy which is unique to French roulette is a system known as neighbouring numbers. This strategy focuses on covering five numbers that sit next to each other on the wheel. It is crucial to not mix the numbers with those on the betting grid, as these numbers do not appear in the same sequence as on the wheel.
Tips for Playing French Roulette
Here are some valuable tips for when you step out onto the gambling floor in search of roulette games at Vegas or log into your computer to make a straight-up bet.
Regardless of the scenario in which you find yourself playing roulette games, these tips will go a long way.
Bankroll Management
Bankroll management is like the foundation of your gambling experience.
You need to set a budget for your gambling activities and stick to it. It’s important to be realistic about how much money you can afford to spend on gambling and to never gamble with money that you can’t afford to lose.
By setting a budget and sticking to it, you’ll be able to enjoy your gambling activities without worrying about financial troubles.
Gamble Responsibly
Responsible gambling is like the guidebook that helps you make smart decisions.
It’s all about understanding the risks involved in gambling and taking steps to minimise those risks. This includes setting limits on your gambling activities, such as the amount of time or money you spend, and avoiding chasing losses by trying to win back money that you’ve lost.
By playing in a responsible way, you can enjoy your gambling experience without experiencing any negative consequences.
Choose The Right Casino
When it comes to choosing a casino and table, it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable establishment. Browse our highly regulated, safe and reputable list of the best roulette casinos to find the right casino for you.
Stay Calm
Finally, staying calm and focused during gameplay is essential for success in any casino game. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of gambling, but it’s important to stay level-headed and make rational decisions based on the information available to you.
Avoid making impulsive decisions and take the time to consider your options before placing bets or making other moves. By staying calm and focused, you’ll be able to enjoy your gambling experience to the fullest.
Alternative Variants of Roulette
French roulette is just one of many versions of roulette that people can play at top NZ online casinos. You can find guides to the other roulette variants right here:
Find Places to Play French Roulette
After reading this guide you might be in the mood to play some French Roulette. Fortunately for you, many of the top NZ online roulette casinos offer the French version of Roulette. Bonne chance!
French Roulette - FAQ
What's The Difference Between French and European Roulette?
The main differences between playing French roulette next to European roulette are factors such as the wheel, the la partage & en prison rule, the manner in which you call bets, and the table layout.
In saying this, apart from these factors, they are very similar games.
What Are The Odds In French Roulette?
If placing a straight-up bet on a single number, the odds on a French roulette wheel will be a payout of 35 to 1. However, there are a number of different odds depending on whether it's an inside bet (high odds) or an outside bet (lower odds).
Where Can I Play French Roulette Online?
Using our trusted, high-quality list of French Roulette casinos, finding a great place to try your luck and play French roulette online is a breeze.
What is the best strategy to use in French Roulette?
We like the strategy called 'Neighbouring Numbers'! This is when you place straight bets on 5 different numbers which appear beside each other on the roulette wheel. If that isn't for you, however, the martingale strategy is a popular and easy system to follow.
Noah is the senior content editor at CasinoCrawlers and a writer with many iGaming articles under his portfolio. Therefore, he is skilled at writing bonus guidelines, gambling strategies, and casino reviews. During his spare time, he enjoys playing Call of Duty and is a huge rugby fan.
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